Chapter 52: Dowry

For some inexplicable reason, I felt like crying.

Jiang Xiangxiang’s eyes welled up, as if tears were about to fall at any moment. Her heart ached terribly.

Her space contained countless treasures; she didn’t care about this old flashlight, which would be obsolete in the future.

But seeing Jiang Chengshan’s actions, she felt overwhelmed.

Jiang Xiangxiang felt a pang of guilt. After all, she wasn’t his biological daughter. The original owner’s whereabouts were unknown, and his kindness towards her was something she had “stolen.”

After Jiang Chengshan finished speaking, he smiled at her with a simple and honest smile: “Take it, take it. Don’t be polite with your dad.”

Jiang Xiangxiang: “Dad, thank you. This is the best gift I’ve ever received.”

Jiang Chengshan: “Oh, that’s nothing. When Dad has more money later, I’ll buy you better ones.”

Jiang Xiangxiang: “Okay.”

As long as Jiang Chengshan remained this way, she was sure she could ensure his future comfort and that he would no longer have to do such hard labor.

Jiang Xiangxiang turned on the flashlight and walked home.

Jiang Chengshan followed not far behind. The father and daughter walked home together, their backs looking harmonious and warm.

After returning home, Jiang Xiangxiang discovered that Jiang Chengshan had already tidied everything up, including cleaning. She, as his daughter, didn’t need to worry about a thing.

Jiang Chengshan truly treated her as his own daughter, and her anxious heart finally settled.

Furthermore, Jiang Chengshan scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed before speaking.

“Xiangxiang, you can go wash up too. There’s still plenty of water left in the pot. I’ll go guard the front door. Call me when you’re done.”

“Dad, no need…”

Before Jiang Xiangxiang could finish, Jiang Chengshan had already left without hesitation.

She had originally planned to wash up in her space, but now it seemed unnecessary. A simple wash would suffice. Jiang Chengshan’s attitude warmed her heart.

She simply washed her face, feet, and brushed her teeth before going out to call him.

After Jiang Chengshan returned, he didn’t waste any time and went straight to the bedroom he shared with Ye Meiping, not forgetting to remind Jiang Xiangxiang to close the windows and doors and rest early, leaving any problems for tomorrow.

It has to be said that his sense of propriety as a father was impeccable.

Jiang Xiangxiang didn’t say much but obediently returned to her room. Mainly, under the current circumstances, even if she wanted to talk, there wasn’t much to discuss.

She had to think about how to get Jiang Chengshan out of the way if she had to give a statement.

She absolutely couldn’t let him have any more contact with Ye Meiping. If Jiang Chengshan softened his heart, all her efforts would be wasted. It would be even better if they could divorce.

The next day, early in the morning.

Jiang Xiangxiang woke up in her space again. The conditions outside were too poor, and she didn’t want to compromise her comfort or bother decorating, as she would be leaving soon anyway.

When she went out, Jiang Chengshan was already up and making a fire.

Seeing Jiang Xiangxiang, Jiang Chengshan immediately stood up, appearing somewhat flustered, his gaze slightly evasive, and looking embarrassed.

Jiang Xiangxiang was a little confused. What happened overnight?

“Dad.”

“Xiangxiang, I took a look this morning, and there’s nothing valuable at home, and not much to eat. Let’s just make do this morning?”

“Uh…” Jiang Xiangxiang felt a little embarrassed. She couldn’t bring herself to say that she had taken everything. Even if she did, Jiang Chengshan probably wouldn’t believe her.

After much thought, Jiang Xiangxiang decided not to explain. If she didn’t say anything, it would be fine, hehe.

It would also allow Jiang Chengshan to blame Ye Meiping, which was good.

Jiang Chengshan couldn’t imagine the hardships his daughter had endured. Thinking further, he felt a sense of self-reproach, blaming himself.

“Dad still has a month’s wages from the mine. I’ll go to the village committee to get an advance and buy some daily necessities. As for your dowry, Dad will find a way to borrow some money to add to it.”

“Dad, no need to trouble yourself. I don’t lack anything, and Lu Jianshen doesn’t care about those things.”

Hearing his cautious tone, Jiang Xiangxiang quickly said so. He shouldn’t worry himself. If nothing happened, it would be fine, but if Jiang Chengshan got sick from worrying, she would feel guilty.

The key was that she felt guilty; she had countless treasures hidden in her space.

Not to mention, supporting him was no problem at all.

Jiang Chengshan sighed and stopped talking. Words were empty; actions spoke louder than words.

Although Jiang Xiangxiang said she didn’t care, which girl wouldn’t care? It was nonsense; it was impossible.

Besides, even if his daughter didn’t care, the Lu family might care. He couldn’t let Lu Jianshen look down on her.

Jiang Chengshan understood that in a marriage between two families, both sides had to show sincerity, otherwise, the couple’s life would be difficult later.

He wasn’t a fool.

Seeing Jiang Chengshan’s complex expression, Jiang Xiangxiang found it quite amusing. How should she put it? Her adoptive father seemed to have a lot on his mind.

However, it didn’t matter.

If she really needed anything later, she would prepare it.

“Okay, Dad, let’s eat first. We’ll talk about these things later. Also, about the things Lu Jianshen bought yesterday, you should take some time to deal with them. The chickens, ducks, and geese won’t keep.”

“Let’s give some back to them!”

Jiang Chengshan frowned. If possible, he would rather return everything to Lu Jianshen. He didn’t lack food and drink.

His daughter was more important. He wasn’t a fool; he wouldn’t be bought off by a little bit of petty gain.

Jiang Xiangxiang twitched her lips: “No need. If you return them, Lu Jianshen will send them back. Back and forth, it’s not a good look.”

Jiang Chengshan: “But we can’t keep everything. People might think we’re selling our daughter!”

Lu Jianshen did show some sincerity; he brought a lot of food, drink, and necessities.

Jiang Chengshan had seen them, but the more he looked, the more upset he became. He felt uncomfortable, so he simply ignored them. Why bother?

He wasn’t crazy.

Jiang Xiangxiang: “It won’t be like that. Given our family’s situation, we won’t be hypocritical. The Lu family knows the situation.”

Anyway, the Jiang family’s situation was what it was, and she had nothing to hide.

If they couldn’t accept it, they could say so. Jiang Xiangxiang never intended to hide anything; she didn’t see the need.

If it weren’t for Lu Jianshen’s military status, Jiang Xiangxiang might not have chosen him. It was an unsolvable problem.